Seroprevalence of Human Herpes Virus 8 among Blood Donors in National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
K. Wooi Seong
National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
M. Nor Asiah *
Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
M. Normi
Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
M. Y. Aliza
Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A. Norhanim
National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A. Yasmin
National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A. T. Nur Syimah
Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
K. Roslaili
Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
M. Y. Narazah
Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: In South East Asia, there is no regional or local HHV-8 seroprevalence data on blood donors. Thus this study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HHV-8 among blood donors in National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur (NBCKL) and to test its association with donor socio demographic and transfusion transmitted infection (TTI) seropositivity.
Study Design: A cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: National Blood Centre, Kuala Lumpur (NBCKL). Duration of the study from January 2008 to June 2009.
Methodology: A total of 761 serum samples were collected of which 670 from blood donors who were non-reactive for TTIs while 91 were from blood donors who were reactive for TTIs were tested for HHV 8 using BIOTRIN HHV-8IgG EIA kit and BIOTRIN HHV-8IgG Immuno fluorescent assay (IFA).
Results: The HHV-8 seroprevalence among blood donors in NBCKL was 1.3% (10/761) of which 0.9% (6/670) among healthy blood donors and 4.4% (4/91) among TTI seropositive donors. TTI seropositivity (p=0.023) and gender (p=0.018) shows a significant risk factors contributed to HHV-8 seropositivity. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C were associated with an increased risk of HHV-8 seropositivity (OR 6.8; 95% CI, 0 to 0.2 and OR 10.0; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.4 respectively).
Conclusion: HHV-8 has a low seroprevalance among blood donors in the NBCKL with a male predominance. A donor with seropositivity for TTI, is associated with a higher risk HHV-8 seropositivity.
Keywords: Human herpes virus 8, transfusion transmitted infection, seroprevalance, blood donors